893. The Fruit of a Citrus Tree

The fruit of a citrus tree. These four kinds, some of them have taste and smell, like the citron, which corresponds to the righteous, in whom there is the spirit of Torah and the taste of good deeds.

The tree on which the palm branch grows has a taste, but no smell. This corresponds to the intermediate in Israel, in whom there is the taste of Mitzvot [commandments] but not the spirit of Torah.

The myrtle has a smell but no taste. It corresponds to those who have the spirit of Torah but no Mitzvot.

The willow has neither taste nor smell. This corresponds to the uneducated people, in whom there is neither the spirit of Torah nor the taste of Mitzvot.

We gather the four together, implying that the Creator does not reconcile with Israel until they are all one bundle, as was said, “Who builds His ascents in the heaven, and establishes His group on the earth.” When does the Creator become ascended? When we all become one bundle.